The Brain Stimulation Clinic in Atlanta is the destination for memory and learning enhancement and treatment-resistant patients who suffer from chronic pain, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, CRPS, depression and tinnitus. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) therapy is provided in a pleasant, relaxing environment. Instruction, training and supervision for home use is also available for select patients.

Show Notes:
Jim is an anesthesiologist.
The study Jim refers to regarding Felipe Fregni & fibromyalgia:A randomized, sham-controlled, proof of principle study of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia (full pdf)
tDCS for treatment of fibromyalgia is not certified – it’s ‘off label’
Device is certified, but not for tDCS = no insurance code, can’t be billed to insurance
20 minute treatment for 5 days.
For fibromyalgia – reduces pain, improves issues – fatigue, compromised mental function
2″ electrodes
(ActivaDose ii Update 3/16 now available as complete tDCS kit through Caputron Medical, use voucher code ‘diytdcs’ for generous discount.)
Most benefit… chronic depression, treatment protocol based on Colleen Loo, Black Dog Institute 6 weeks, follow up maintenance. Up to 8 weeks of treatment + 1-2 treatments follow up maintenance. Daily 20 minute sessions
Can be treated at the clinic for 1-2 weeks. Or home treatment package.
“To treat depression, I place the anode over the left dlpfc (left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and the cathode over the contralateral supraorbital area. I have tried positioning the cathode over the contralateral dlpfc and extracephalically (opposite shoulder or upper arm), but the contralateral supraorbital locations provides the most robust effect.” (Correspondence)
Pain montage 2mA, anode M1 & cathode contralateral supra-orbital area

For chronic pain, the M1 is the most used area and that’s almost always my first choice. But you can use the cathode over the somatosensory (S1) cortex, to down-regulate the patient’s perception of pain.
And you can also stimulate the Dorsalateral prefrontal cortex which is involved in the emotional component of pain.
Looking at stimulating right dorsalateral prefrontal cortex to attenuate anxiety.
… it may be a location
for the non-pharmaceutical treatment for ADD.
Office visit $150.
Home use treatment package $2400 includes in-office evaluation and training, ActivaDose ii device, electrodes, and unlimited follow-up via visit, phone, skype…
Only side effect Jim has seen is skin burn (but easily avoided with sponge electrodes).
(Patient with skin burns who’d been treated by a doctor using electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes.)
Tinnitus responds well, though temporarily, to tDCS
Anode, right dorsalateral prefrontal cortex, cortex opposite supra-orbitalHarvard one day course on how to treat with tDCS. Taught 3-4 times a year.
Contrast with approved Electromagnetic treatment for depression (I think he’s referring to TMS transcranial magnetic stimulation here) A 6 week 30 treatment protocol costs between $10-15,000. Affects last about 6 months. And even though it’s certified, it’s not covered by insurance.
…”in the 12 years that it’s been used there have been no side effects reported other than skin (irritations).
“You know we hear stories about Canadians having to wait for surgery. But in the United States, if you don’t have the money and you don’t have insurance, you don’t have to worry about waiting, you won’t get the surgery.”

Hey, I’m new to the field of research that surrounds tDCS and TES, generally, and have aims to work on it long-term. I had no idea that electric fields, etc., could influence biology at all until recently. With this veil finally lifted, i’m both liberated and isolated because, although my concerns about sleep issues turned out to be spot-on, or likely so, nobody I have any contact with is as jazzed by the electrode thing as me.

Language is fun, but I want to get my hands dirty. What can I do? Where can I help? Can one dedicate himself, even at minimum wage, to this kind of work and research at this point in science history?

Dear Dr. Fugedy,
I am Dave Siever and my company is Mind Alive Inc. We are the frontrunners in audio-visual entrainment (AVE), cranio-electro stimulation (CES) and the newly popularized transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) technologies. I frequently lecture at biofeedback conferences such as the AAPB and ISNR, plus I have a 24-CEU Stimulation Technologies course with Saybrook University. We have three patents on our techniques, which I believe you will find will enhance your clinical outcomes significantly.
My articles may be found at: http://mindalive.com/index.cfm/research/research-articles-by-dave-siever/
Thank you for listening.

Hi Dave. John here, I run this site. I will pass your comment on to Dr. Fugedy. If you look around you’ll find you’re quite well represented on the site. And I do keep tabs on what you’re up to. Take Care.

Dr. Fugedy…what an awesome experience! After 20+ years of trying 30 different meds, Dr. Jim treated me with about 10 Tcds sessions for severe depression…Not only did the treatments work but his caring manner was beyond any expectations. Those treatments helped so much, I came back to Atlanta at a later date & purchased my own Activatek. I now use it for “maintenance” on a weekly or bi-weekly basis ~ in conjunction with a small amount of medication. It’s definitely a miracle..and Dr. Fugedy is o ne in a million~ so appreciate his dedication to his patients and his work.

I just checked to see if there were any clinical trials going on in your area but I don’t see anything close by. The only clinical setting I’ve run across that treats aphasia with tDCS is The Aphasia Center (your comment inspired some research and a blog post!) is in St. Petersburg, FL. You might try contacting them in case they’re aware of practitioners closer to home. If anyone knows other clinics treating stroke with tDCS please let us know.